A Tribute to Bill Burns by Taras Luchak

I am humbled to have been given the privilege of saying a few words about Bill, and am honoured to be introduced as a “friend”.  He was a friend to so many.

Terry Braunstein spoke of Bill’s curling and golfing skills.  It would seem to me that one of the reasons Bill tolerated my company was that in comparison to my own curling and golfing skills, he would indeed be considered a professional.

Bill was indeed an avid, if not overly proficient, curler.  In fact he spent some of his last days enjoying the matches.  I have one true curling story to share.  I curl once a year, at a no skill required bonspiel which happened to be at the Granite curling club.  As luck would have it, a few years ago my team was tied with another for the tournament lead.  This meant that the title would have to be determined by skip’s rocks.  I randomly selected my stone, crouched in the hack, flipped it over and cleaned the bottom surface and as I was getting set to throw I glanced at the name inscribed on the handle……  “William G. Burns”.

At that moment I knew that I had an unfair advantage with that lucky stone.  The other skip had no chance whatsoever. 

That lucky curling stone is symbolic of the kind of inspiration that Bill brought to so many, particularly in the real estate industry.  So very many were inspired by his teaching; in particular as part of the pre-licensing course, or later as a lecturer in topics such as ethical conduct.  Bill inspired many to see the possibilities related to quality, ethical service.  Without question, he was known as “Mr. Ethics”.

Bill treated people with respect, and in turn garnered the lasting respect of so many.  And he did so without regard to race or gender.  Many female REALTORS® commented on how supportive he had been in the early days of their career, and that he inspired them to assume leadership roles in what was perhaps a long standing “old boys club”. 

His real estate accomplishments are many.  He served as provincial and Winnipeg board President and chaired a long list of volunteer committees.  When anyone was looking for an ethics hearing or arbitration panel member, his name was always on the top of the selection list.

One of his more favourite tasks was serving the Errors & Omissions Liability Insurance Program; which he did with integrity and skill.  The members of organized real estate were well served by his counsel and wisdom.  And when Bill spoke, people listened intently.

In fact, I first met Bill on a drive out to Portage la Prairie in 1993 where he was to chair an arbitration panel, set to resolve a dispute between two member companies.  I was entertained by his company on the drive, but it was when we entered the hearing room, where he really began to shine.  In an exercise of being unceremonious, he proceeded to remove his suit jacket, rolled up his sleeves and loosened his tie.  He was symbolically getting down to no nonsense business, while at the same time making all of the participants comfortable in the exercise that was to follow.  He immediately commanded the respect of the room.  That was Bill.

“Mr. Bill” was instrumental in the creation of the Winnipeg Citizen’s Hall of Fame.  He would no doubt modestly suggest that he is not worthy, but his own induction into that Hall of Fame certainly merits serious consideration.

Bill showed a genuine interest in people.  His favourite salutation was “be well”.  And when he said those two words, you knew he meant it.

It was almost exactly one year ago today that I had the pleasure of speaking at Bill’s retirement tribute.  At that time, I quoted his sur-namesake, the famous Scottish Bard, Rabbie Burns.  It seems only fitting to do so again.

With apologies to the bard, I will read an excerpt of the English translation of his most famous lyrics:

Since thoughts of thee doth banish grief,
when from thee I am gone;
will not thy presence yield relief,
to this sad Heart of mine:
Why doth thy presence me defeat,
with excellence divine?
Especially when I reflect
on Old lang syne

We will all miss you Bill.

On his behalf, I say to you all…..with sincerity….

“Be Well”

- Taras Luchak